Purpose
The Associate in Science Advanced Medical Assisting degree will provide students with the skills and knowledge to perform administrative and clinical duties in ambulatory care settings. Graduates are prepared clinically to assist with taking vital signs, minor surgical procedures, examination room preparation, medication administration, phlebotomy, laboratory operations, electrocardiogram administration, and various other clinical tasks. Graduates also learn to function in an administrative capacity, including but not limited to patient communication, electronic health records, processing incoming/outgoing patients (scheduling, collecting fees, or arranging for payment), medical coding and billing, processing insurance claims, and performing managerial and supervisory functions in a clinical setting. This program includes general education courses that build a strong foundation for the health sciences as well as specialty courses that assist with leadership and health information management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations.” Current occupational and wage data for Medical Assistants are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm.
The Advanced Medical Assisting, AS degree program has an associated College Credit Certificate (CCC).
Program Application Deadline
May 31
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Advanced Medical Assisting, AS program is selective and based on the following criteria.
To be considered for acceptance, students must:
- Be admitted to FSW
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete and pass a college-approved criminal background check and drug testing at the applicant’s expense
- Complete the Advanced Medical Assisting, AS program application
After acceptance and prior to enrollment in second-semester courses, students must provide the following:
- Provide documentation of a health physical and functional evaluation from a healthcare provider including all required immunizations.
- Provide evidence of tuberculosis (TB) screening.
- Provide proof of personal health insurance.
- Provide evidence of current Basic Life Support Provider Certification (CPR and AED)
General Education coursework may be taken on various campuses, but the AMA (MEA) courses are only offered on the Charlotte Campus.
The program is to be completed in 5 semesters by students who are college-ready (i.e., who have completed all developmental coursework). Students will progress through the AMA program as a full-time cohort and courses must be taken in sequence. Withdrawing from a course will result in removal from the program unless granted AMA Program Director approval.
Internship Requirements
The AMA program includes a clinical practice experience (internship) course. The MEA2803L Medical Assisting Clinical Experience course will provide a real-world environment in which to integrate the knowledge, theory, skills, and behaviors of an Advanced Medical Assistant professional. Students will complete a total of 160 hours of clinical experience in a healthcare setting. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the clinical sites.
The MEA1248C Clinical Laboratory Procedures course will require students to perform 30 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures to pass the course. This may require the student to be placed in a clinical setting.
The MEA1206C Clinical Office Procedures I course will require students to perform 10 successful EKGs and may require the student to be placed in a clinical setting.
- Clinical sites are usually open during normal business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), and they are usually closed evenings and weekends. Students are expected to be at their clinical sites Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
- As part of this program, the student cannot receive compensation from the clinical site.
Course Prerequisites
Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions. Students must complete all prerequisites for a course prior to registering for it.
Graduation Requirements
Students must fulfill all requirements of their program to be eligible for graduation. All courses required for the degree must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher and demonstrate ‘entry-level’ functional ability standards and the competency and performance levels required of a medical assistant assessed in the clinical class (MEA2803L).
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